Automatic telephone-exchange selector.



F. R. MqBERTY. AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SELECTOR.

APPLICATION EILED JULY 23, 1910.

1,097,868, Patented May 26,1914.

Fig. l.

4 SHEETSSHEET 1,

Wiinesses: Invenfor:

Frank RM Berrg 7W WW9.

F. R. MGBBRTY- AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SELECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY23, 1910.

Patented May 26, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Wifnesses: Invenror:

I P. R. MGBERTY.

AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SELECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 23, 1910.

1,097,8 8 Patented May 26,1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Whnesses: I Invemor: I Frank RM Berrg P. R. MQBERTY, AUTOMATIC TELEPHONEEXCHANGE SELECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 23, 1910. v

Patented May 26, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Invemor: Frank R. M Berrg bg v flfig.

Whnessesf UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK R. MCBEBTY, OF NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERNELECTRIC COMIEANY, OF NEW YORK,

N. Y., A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE-EXCHANGE SELECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 26, 1914.

Application filed July 23, 1910. Serial No. 573,516.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK R. MoBnnrv, citizenof the United States, residing at New Rochelle, in the county oflVestchester and State of New York, have invented a certain new anduseful Improvement in Automatic Telephone-Exchange Selectors, of whichthe following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

My invention relates to automatic switches for use in telephone exchangesystems. Its object is in general to improve the construction andarrangement of the parts of the switch mechanism whereby theinterconnection of a large number of lines may be effected with rapidityand precision.

One feature of my invention relates particularly to means whereby anyone of a plurality of normally. inactive terminals in an automaticswitch may be selected and rendered active for connection with otherterminals. The normally inactive terminals or brushes are held in aretracted position until released by the selecting means. They arepreferably arranged in a row upon a movable carriage andheld by latches,any

one of which may be lifted by the selecting means to permit engagementof the selected terminal or terminals with 'the other terminals. Theseother terminals are preferably held stationary and arranged in suitable'rows transverse to the row of movable terminals but in their line oftravel when advanced in the movement of the carriage. The selectingmeans may be arranged to trip the latches during the initial movement ofthe brush carriage. In practice the movable terminals are arranged insets, each set being held by a single latch, and the several sets beingjoined electrically in multiple-connected groups. In the formofstructure herein describerhthe multiple connection of the sets ofmovable. terminals is secured by metallic combs, the teeth of whichpress against the movable terminals, form electrical connectiontherewith and impart to them a tendency to move outwardly into positionto engage the stationary terminals. The movements of the brush carriageand of thebrush selector are controlled preferably by means of twoelectromagnetic clutches, each of which has a part associated with asingle'continuously rotating power shaft.

According to the preferred mode of operation of this feature of myinvention, the brush selector is first operated and set in one positionor another to subsequently engage a particular one of the latches.- Thenth e brush carriage is advanced and in its initial movement the selectedlatch is lifted by an operative point on the brush selector. Furthermovement of the brush carriage causes the released brush or brushes'totrail over a particular row or rows of the sta-v tionary terminals untilthe carriage is finally stopped with said brush or brushes in contactwith the desired terminal or set of terminals.

My invention also relates to the construcb10111 of. the brush selectorwhich is a device having a number of operative points, one.

for each brush or set or" brushes, means he ing'provided for moving thedevice into one of several positions to select and render active any onebrush or set of brushes. More ,in detail the brush selecting devicecomprises a shaft with a plurality of fingers extending outwardly fromthe shaft in different directions. The rotation of the shaft ispreferably controlled by an electromagnetic clutch in a manner similarto that of the brush carriage- The fingers are preferably arrangedspirally about the surface of the shaft and are adapted to be broughtsuccessively into the line of travel of the latches on the brushcarriage so that when the brush carriage is moved from its normalposition to carry the brushes over the stationary terminals one of thelatches engages a finger of the brush selector in passing, and thebrushes normally held thereby are thrust outwardly in position to trailover the terminals. For restoring the selected brushes to their normallatched position, a restoring surface, preferably in the form of'aroller, is placed in position to be engaged bysaid brushes in the returnmovement of the brush carriage. This return movement, in the form ofswitch herein disclosed, is accomplished by continuing the rotation ofthe brush carriage in the-same direction as that of the advance movementuntil one complete revolution has been made. The restoring roller isaccordingly located in the line of travel of the brushes beyond the rowsof stationary terminals. The general arrangement is thus one in,

which the brush selector is set into operative position to release abrush or set of brushes, after which the brush carriage is moved firstinto operative relation to the brush selector, then over the rows ofstationary.

connection between the brushes and the stationary terminals, and also inreturning the brush carriage to its normal position, means is providedfor stopping the brush carriage quickly'whenthe power mechanism isdisengaged therefrom. This means is preferably in the form of anelectromagnet to be energized at the moment the power mechanism isdisengaged and adapted thereupon to cause a moving part of the brushcarriage to come intofrictional contact with a stationary part of theelectromagnet, such as its core.

My invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which-- Figure 1. is a front elevation of the completeswitch mechanism with certain parts 'in section and other parts brokenaway.

Fig. 2 isa plan view of the same in section along the line 2-2 ofFig. 1. Fig. 3'is a plan view of the same partly in section along theline 3-3 of Fig. 1. Figs. 4 to 8 inclusive are detail views of parts ofthe switch mechanism, Fig. 4 showing a contact device and itscontrolling mechanism in the normal position. of the switch, Figs. 5 and7 the-same in different off-normal positions, and Figs. 6 and 8 thebrushes of the automatic switch in oil-normal positions correspondingrespectively to those of Figs. 5 and 7, and Fig. 9 is a perspective viewof the principal elements of the switch mechanism but with the frame andcertain other parts omitted to give a clear understanding of the generalarrangement and mode of operation of the mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the switch.

mechanism comprises in general a frame 1, a bank of stationary terminals2, a brush carriage 3, a brush selector 4, two electromagnetic clutches5, 6, one for controlling the rotation of the brush carriage and theother for controlling the rotation of the brush selector, and a brushrestoring roller 7. The brush 'carriage 3 is pivotally mounted centrallyin the frame. The brush selector and the brush restoring roller are alsopivotally mounted in the frame, one on one side and the other on'theother side of the brush carriage. The stationary terminals aresecured tothe frame and are arranged so that their inner ends are disposed about asemicylindrical surface and form horizontal curved rows and intersectingverticalrows. The outwardly projecting ends of the terminals form solderclips for wiring connections.

The brush carriage 4: comprises a shaft 10, to the upper and lower endsof which are secured arms 11 and 12 respectively. At the outer or freeends of these. arms and ex tending vertically lmtwcen them are rods 14,15, 16, and ahlock of insulating material 17. A plurality of brushes 18are pivotally supported upon the rod 14. The brushes are insulated fromthe rod 1 by insulating bushings. 19. The block of insulating material17 is provided with slots 20 in which the free ends of the brushes areguided. Rc atably held upon the rod 15 are a plurality of latches 21 forthe brushes, these latches being of insulating material and normallyengaging thc free ends of the brushes 18. The latches 21 may each engagea set of three brushes as shown'and they are normally thrust forward toengage the brushes by means of springs 22, therod 16 forming a stop toprevent the latches from swinging around too far when the brushes arereleased. The springs 22 form the teeth of a comb-shaped member 23secured to one side of the shaft 10 of the brush carriage. The brushes18 have arms 24 extending inwardly, and these arms are engaged bymetallic springs which bear .against them with pressure and tend toswing the brushes outwardly into position to engage the stationaryterminals. In their normal latched position these brushes would becarried over the rows of terminals Without making contact therewith, butwhen released by the lifting of the latches 21 the free ends of thebrushes are swung outwardly. The insulating block 17 by engaging thelevers 24 limits the outward movement. The springs 25 make electricalcontact with the-brushes; they form the teeth of comb-shaped members(like the member 23) secured to the shaft 10 on the opposite sidethereof. There are three of these comb-shaped members for the brushes.They are insulated from each other and from the brush carriage, as shownin Figs. 6, 8 and 9, and serve to connect in multiple the-correspondingbrushes of the several sets on the brush carriage. This construction isshown most clearly in Fig. 9 from an inspection of which itis clearlyevident that the combs are punched with the space of two brushesbet-ween each tooth and the next adjacent one, and the teeth of thethree combs are offset so as to cause the teeth of the first comb toengage the lateral arms 24 of the first, fourth and seventh brushlevers, the teeth of the second comb to engage the arms of the second,fifth and eight levers and the teeth of the third comb to engage thearms of the third, sixth and ninth levers and so on throughout theseries.

It will be noted that since the brushes are pivotally mounted and undertension they will have a swinging movement in passing over theprojecting line terminals, thereby causinga to and fro movement of thecontact surfaces of the brush arms, which are preferably knife-edged,over the spring tongue conducting leads, the consequent wiping actioneffectuallv preventing accumulation of dust or other foreign matterwhich would tend to form an insulating coating and prevent ositiveelectrical con; tact being maintained? Located at the upper part of thebrush carriage is an interrupter device comprising two members or levers29 and30, pivotally mounted on the rod 14 and guided in slots in theinsulating block 17 in a manner like that of the brushes. These membersor 1evers.29 and 30 engage the inner surfaces of a semi-circular plate8. At the free end of lever 29 is a roller 31. The roller is adaptedwhen the brush carriage is trailing the brushes over the stationaryterminals to engage the teeth 9 and depressions between the teeth whichform one part. of the inner surface of plate 8, while a curved. end ofle er 30 engages the smooth surface or rim 32 of plate 8. The levers 29and 30 have inwardly extending arms 33 and 34 which engage contactsprings 37 and 38 respectively, the said springs being secured toandsuitably insulated from the shaft 10 of the brush carriage, as shown inFigs.v 4,5 and 7. Insulating buttons 39 and 40 are secured to the endsof the arms 33 and 34 to insulate them from the contact springs.

In the normal position of the brush carriage, the free ends of thelevers 29 and 30 (as shown in Fig. 4) engage a normal stop plate 41which is secured to but insulated from the upper part of the frame 1.This normal stop plate is shaped to form a depression for the free endsof the levers and 30, and it has at the entering edge an insulatingcovering 42, the purpose of which will be presently explained. Lever 29is pressedoutwardly by means of a coil spring 36 of considerablestrength, while the lever 30 is pressed outwardly, but with less force,

by the contact spring 38. \Vhen the brush carriage is'moved forward fromits normal position to trail the brushes 18 over the stationaryterminals 3, the lever 29 is rocked back and forth by engagement of theroller 31 with the teeth 9 and intervening depressions of the plate 8,while the lever 80, which controls one of the contact springs 38, ridessmoothly over the rim 32. \Vhile the roller 31 is resting in any one ofthe depressions in the toothed part of the plate 8, the contact betweensprings 37 and 38 is open (see Fig. 5). The corresponding position ofthe brushes is 'shown in Fig. 6 where a brush is the terminals hit whenthe roller 31 is riding over the tooth 9 as shown in Fig. 7,

the contact between springs 37 and 38 is closed. The correspondingposition of the brushes is shown in Fig. 8 wherein the free end of abrush ispassing between two adjacent stationary terminals and out ofcontact with both of them. Thus in the movement of the switch carriageto trail the brushes over the stationary terminals, the connectionbetween springs 37 and 38 is opened once for each terminaltraverscd bythe brushes and is closed while the brushes are traveling be tweensuccessive terminals. The function of this switchingdevice is to measurethe movement of the brushes over the stationary terminals and bycooperation with suitable rings with the terminal clips of the several.

contact members and springs and bearing against the collector rings areagroup of brushes 45 which are secured to the frame and insulated fromthe same and from one another as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

The brush selector 4 comprises a shaft 46 having a plurality ofoperative points or fingers 47 spirally arranged about the surface ofthe shaft. There is one finger for each latch of the brush carriage.Securedto the lower end of the spindle 46 is a starwheel or cam 48. Acontact switch arm 49 is pivoted to the frame and provided at its freeend with a roller 71 to engage the surface of the wheel. A coilspring'51 serves to hold the arm with considerable pressure against thestarwheel. Oneofthe depressions on the wheel 48 is deeper than theothers and in the normal position of the brush selector the roller 54rests in this depression. When the shaft is rotated away from its normalposition the arm is lifted and rocked back and forth as the roller 54engages the teeth and depressions of the star-wheel 48. Two contactsprings 52 and 53 secured to the frame but insulated therefrom areengaged by the rocking arm 49 in the movement of the brush selectorshaft 46, contact being made continuously with the spring 53 andintermittently with the spring 52 when the shaft is away from normalposition. The function of this switching device comprising the arm 49and the springs 52 and 53 is the same as that of the switching devicecontrolled in the movement of the brush carriage. That is to say theintermittent connection with spring 52 serves by cooperation withsuitable controlling mechanism to measure themovement of the brushselector shaft and to stop it with the proper finger 47 in position toengage the latch 21.0f the desired set of brushes.

To provide for the restoration of the brushes to their normal latchedposition after being released, the restoring roller 7 is placed in theline of travel of the free end of the brushes 18 beyond the bank' ofterminals so that as they ride over the roller in the return movement ofthe switch they are forced back into position where they are engaged bythe latch 21.

The electromagnetic clutch 5 comprises coil 55. through the center ofwhich a continuously rotating shaft 56 freely extends. A portion of thisshaft forms the magnet core for coil 55. At one end of the coil is aniron roller 57 which rotates in close proximity to the underneathsurface of an annular iron disk 58. This disk 58 is flexibl secured tothe lower end of the shaft 10 of the brush carriage by means of a thincircular plate 59 to which it is riveted. The coil is held stationary byextensions 60 of the spool headswhich are fastened to the frame. Inorder that the magnetic circuit may be nearly complete, an iron plate 61secured to an extension 62 of the frame is held in close proximity tobut out of contact with the underneath surface of the disk 58. At oneend of the plate 61 is an iron extension piece 63 in the form of a yokeembracing but not quite touching the shaft 56 at the end of the coil 55opposite the roller 57.

flhc complete magnetic circuit for the coil 55 thus comprises a portionof the rotating shaft 56, the roller 57, the rotatable disk 58, thestationary plate (31 and the extension piece 63. When current is passedthrough the coil 55, the disk 58 is attracted to the periphery of theroller 5'7 and the brush carriage is caused to rotate by frictionalengagemcnt between the roller and disk.

The electromagnetic clutch 6 is somewhat similar in construction to 5,it comprising coil 64 through the center of which an iron core 65,secured to the lower end of the spindle 46 of the brush selector, freelyextends. At the upper end of this core 65 is secured a circular ironroller (36 which is adapted, when current flows through the coil, to beengaged by a rotating disk (37 flexibly secured to the power shaft'56.

An eleetromagnet 68 is provided for the purpose of quickly stopping themovement of the brush carriage when the power mechanism for driving itis disengaged. This electromagnet 68 has a projecting pole piece 69 anda return pole piece 70, both of which extend upwardly and lie in closeproximity to the underneath surface of the disk 58.

W hen current is directed through the wind ing of this electromagnet,the disk 58 is:

strongly attracted and held in frictional engagement with the projectingpole pieces 69 and 7t). 1

The complete operation of the switch mechanism herein described is asfollows: Current being directed through the coil 64 of the clutch 6, thedisk 67, secured to the power shaft 56, engages the roller 66 and causesthe shaft 46 to rotate. The fingers 47 on the shaft are thereby, broughtone after another into position where they may engage the correspondinglatches 21 on the brush carriage. The extent of movement of the brushselector shaft 4 is controlled by the interrupter spring 52. When thedesired movement is secured, current will be cut off from the coil 64;of the'clut-ch and the shaft will stop with one of the fingers 47 inposition to engage a particular one of the latches 21. The engagement ofthe roller 71 at the. free end of the arm 49 with the starwheel 48insures the stopping of the shaft in proper position for the release ofthe desired set of brushes. That is tosay, the roller will be forcedinto a depression between teeth on the starwheel 48, thus insuring thatthe proper finger 47, will be in position to engage a latch 21.

The-brush selector having been set, current will be directed through thecoil 55 of clutch 5 and the brush carriage will leave its normalposition and advance toward the rows of stationary terminals. In itsinitial movement the latch 21 will be lifted by the finger 4'7 and a set'of three brushes 18 will be released and swung outwardly with the arms2%. thereof resting against the surface of the insulating block 1?. Cnti ued move ment of thebrush carriage will cause the selected brushesto make contact one after another with the terminals in thecorresponding rows or levels. At thesame time the switching devicecontrolled by the levers 29 and 30 at the upper partof the switch carriage will be' measuring the extent of movement of the brush carriage.After a pre determined number of interruptions current may be cutofffrom the coil 55 and the brush carriage stopped with the selected set ofbrushes 18 in contact with the desired set of fixed terminals. Thebrushes will be centered upon the terminals by the engagement of theroller 31 at the free end of the lever 25) with one of thedepressionsbetween teeth in the plate 8. \Vhen current is cut off from the coil 55,current may be directed at that-moment through the winding of theholding magnet 68 to cause the pole pieces of the holding magnet v(38 toengage the disk 58 and instantly stop the movement of the brushcarriage.

To return the switch carriage to normal position, current' is againdirected through coil 55 and the brush carriage is a ain advanced tocomplete its revolution a out the:

shaft 10. As the selected set of brushes passes away from the rows ofterminals they engage the surface of the roller 7 and are forced backinto position to be reengaged by the latch 2-1. The movement of thebrush carriage continues until its normal position is reaohed,whereuponthe levers 29 and 30 ride over the insulated entering edge 42 of thenormal stop plate a1 and drop into the depression of that plate, makingan elcc' trical contact therewith. This contact may be used to causecurrent to be cut off from coil 55 so thatthe brush carriage will stopin its normal position. The holding magnet 68 may be again brought intooperation at this time to prevent the inertia of the switch carriagefrom advancing the same beyond its normal position. In a similar mannerthe brush selector may be returned to normal position, current beingdirected through coil (3-1, causing the clutch to engage the brushselector 4 to complete its revolution and bring it back to its normalposition. Upon reaclr ing this normal position, contact will be brokenbetween spring 53 and the arm 49 and The breaking of this contact may beused to cut off current 'from coil 64 of the clutch.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1 1. In an automatic switch,the combination of a plurality of normally retracted movable terminals,means for moving said terminals, other terminals adapted to cooperatetherewith, and a selector adapted in the initial movement of saidnormally retracted terminals to release any of the same.

An automatic switch comprising a plurality of stationary terminals, aplurality of normally inactive movable terminals, means for moving saidmovableterminals over said stationary terminals in company, a brushselector, and means for setting said selector, whereby any of saidmovable terminals will be released by the movement thereot 3. Anautomatic switch comprising a plurality of stationary terminals, aplurality of. normally, inactive movable terminals, means for causingsaid movable terminals to traverse said stationary terminals andmechanism adapted to select any of said movable terminals, saidmechanism cooperating with said movable terminals to render any of thesame active in the initial movement of the latter to traverse saidstationary terminals.

4. In an automatic switch, the combination of a plurality of stationaryterminals arranged in rows and a plurality of movable terminals adaptedto traverse said rows, said movable terminals being normally retracted,a carriage for said movable terminals'and tripping means actuated by themovement of said carriage selectively to release any of said movableterminals topermit it to make contact with the terminals in the rowtraversed thereby.

5. An automatic switch comprising a plurality of rows of stationaryterminals, a plu rality of movable terminals, brush controlling devicesfor normally retaining said movable terminals in inoperative position,means for moving said movable terminals past said rows of stationaryterminals, selecting mechanism, and means for positioning said selectingmechanism in the path of one of said controlling devices whereby saidselecting mechanism will be made effective by thev movement f saidterminals.

6. An automatic switch comprising a plurality of stationary terminalsarranged in parallel rows, a plurality of movable terminalscorresponding in number and position to the rows of stationaryterminals, means for causing said movable terminals to move in companyover the stationary terminals in the corresponding rows, a latchassociated with each of said movable terminals adapted normally to holdthe same out of engagement with the stationary terminals over which itpasses, and an electrically actuated tripping device adapted to beoperated selectively to trip any predetermined latch to bring itsassociated movable terminal into position for engagement with thestationary terminals over which it passes.

7. In a switch, the combination with a plurality of stationary terminalsarranged in parallel rows, of a transverse row of movable terminalsadapted to move over, said stationary terminals, each movable terminalbeing adapted to traverse a particular row of stationary terminals, ametallic comb, the teeth of which are adapted to connect said movableterminals in multiple and impart to them a tendency to engage thestationary terminals in the corresponding rows, latches for holding saidmovable terminals normally out of engagement with the Sta-- tionaryterminals which they traverse and tripping mechanism adapted to operateone or another of said latches to release the corresponding movableterminal,

8. An automatic switch comprising a. plurality of stationary terminals,a plurality of normally retracted movable terminals, motor mechanism forcausing the movement of said movable terminals over said stationaryterminals at uniform speed, and means mechanically cooperating with saidmotor mechanism during the uninterrupted movement of the movableterminals to select and thrust forward any of said movable terminalsinto position to engage the stationary terminals over which it passes.

f). A, switch comprising a plurality of stationary tern'iinals, a row tmovable terminals, a switch carriage upon which said row of movableterminals is supported, means for moving said switch carriage to causesaid movable terminals to traverse said stationary terminals, meanscarried by said switch carriage for thrusting forward said movableterminals into position to engage sa1d stationary terminals, said meansserving also to complete electrical connection with said movableterminals, latches supported upon said switch carriage. one for each ofsaid movable terminals, adapted to hold the same normally retracted, andtripping mechanism adapted to be placed in position to lift one oranother of said latches during the initial movement of the switchcarriage.

10. A .switch comprising a plurality of stationary terminals, a' row ofmovable terminals, a switch carriage upon which sa d row of movableterminals is supported, means for moving said switch carriage to causesaid movable terminals to traverse said stationary terminals, meanscarried by said switch thrusting forward said movable terminals intoposition to engage said stationary terminals, said means serving also tocomplete electrical connection with said movable terminals, latchessupported upon said switch carriage, one for each of said movableterminals, adapted to hold the same normally retracted, and trippingmechanism adapted to lift one or another of said latches in the movementof the switch carriage.

11. An automatic switch, comprising a plurality of stationary terminals,a plurality of normally inactive movable terminals adapted to traversesaid stationary terminals in the movement of the switch, mechanismadapted to be selectively operated and in the movement of the switch torender active a predetermined one of said movable terminals, andmechanism for cansin r an uninterrupted movement of the mow ab eterminals of the switch first into operative relation with saidselecting mechanism and then into operative relation with saidstationary terminals.

12. In an automatic switch, the combination with a plurality ofstationary terminals, a plurality of movable terminals, and a. row oflatches holding the latter normally inactive, of a selective trippingdevice, and motor mechanism adapted to cause first a movement of saidtripping device and then a movement of said latches-to bring theselected latch into operative relation to said tripping device.

L3. An automatic switch comprising a plurality of stationary terminals,a plurality of normally retracted movable terminals, motor mechanism forcausing movement of said movable terminals over said stationaryterminals, and mechanism adapted to select a particular one of the sameand during the uninterrupted movement of the movable terminals to thrustforward said selected terminal in position to make connection with saidstationary terminals.

carriage for 7 14. A switch comprising a plurality-ref stationaryterminals, aswitch carriage carrying a plurality of normally inactivemovable terminals adapted to cooperate with said stationary terminals, aconstantly rotating power shaft, a magnetic clutch adapted to controlthe connection of said switch carriage with said power shaft, andmechanism adapted to select one or another of said movable terminals andin the movement of said switch carriage to render the selected terminaloperative;

15. An automatic switch comprising a plurality of fixed terminals, a rowof normally active movable terminals, :1 selecting device for renderingactive any of said movable terminals, a power shaft and twoelectromagnetic clutches each having a part mounted upon said shaft, oneof said clutches being arranged to drive said selecting device and theother of said clutches being arranged to drive said movable terminalsfirst into operative relation to said selecting device and then intooperative relation tosaid stationary terminals.

16. In an automatic switch, the combina tion with a movable member,apower shaftadapted to move'said member, and an elec-' tromagneticclutch controlling the engagement of said power shaft with said member,of an electromagnetic holding device adapted to stop the movement ofsaid member when the power shaft is disengaged by said clutch.

17. In an automatic switch, the combination with a moving member. apower shaft for moving said member, and a clutch comprising anelectromagnet and two friction rollers, one carried by said member, of aholding device comprising an electromagnet adapted to engage saidfriction roller carried bythe moving member when the power shaft isdisengaged fromsaid moving member.

18. In an automatic switch, the combination with a plurality of movablenormally retracted terminals and other terminals adapted to cooperatetherewith, of power means for causing said movable terminals to traversesaid other terminals, and a selecting mechanism having a plurality ofoperative parts one for each of said movable terminals, each said partadapted in the movement of such terminals to release the cooperatingmovable terminal from its retracted position.

19. In an automatic switch, the combination with a plurality of movablenormally retracted terminals and other terminals adapted to cooperatetherewith; of power means for causing said movable terminals to traversesaid other terminals, and a shaft having a plurality of operative pointsone for each of said movable terminals, each,

point adapted in the movement of such terminals to release thecooperating movable terminal from its retracted position.

520. In an automatic switch, the combination with a pluralityof.movablenormally retracted terminals and other terminals adapted tocooperate therewitlnot' power means for causing said movable terminalsto traverse said other terminals, a shaft hav mg a plurality ofoperative points one for means for causing said movable terminals totraverse said other terminals, and a shaft I having'a plurality ofradial spirally arranged fingers thereon,.one of said fingerscooperating with each of said movable terminals and adapted in themovement of such terminal to release it from its retracted position.

22. In an automatic switch, the combina tion with a, plurality ofmovable normally retracted terminals, and other terminals adapted tocooperate therewith, of power meansfor causin said movable terminals totraverse said other terminals, a. shaft having a plurality of radialspirally arranged fingers thereon, one of said fingers cooperating witheach of said movable terminals adapted in the movement of such terminalto release it from its retracted position, and means for rotating saidshaft.

23. "An automatic switch comprising a plurality of stationary terminals,a movable switch carriage carrying a row of movableterminals and arow oflatches adapted to' hold said movable terminals normally retracted,means for moving said switch carriage to cause said row ofmovableterminals to traverse said stationary terminals, and a selectivetripp'ing device comprising a shafthaving a plurality of operativepoints arranged about the surfacethereof, and means for rotating saidshaft to bring said points one after another into position to beenlatches to release one or another of said movable terminals, saidmechanism compris mg a member having operative points, one

for each latcharranged spirally thereon,

and means adapted to rotate said member to bring one or another of saidpoints into operative relation to the corresponding latch to effect therelease of a predetermined one of said movable terminals.

25. A switch, comprisinga plurality of stationary terminals, a pluralityof movable terminals, means for moving said movable terminals over saidstationary terminals,

latches for normally holding said movable terminals clear of saidstationary terminals,

tripping mechanism for actuating one or an-- other of said latches torelease the associated movable terminal, and re-setting mechanismadapted to restore the released movable terminal to its normal positionin the return movement of the switch.

26. The combination with a plurality of curved rows of stationaryterminals and a switch carriage comprising a row of movable terminalsand a row of latches, said latches being adapted to hold said movableterminals normally retracted, motor mecha i.

nism for rotating said switch carriage t0 'ause sald movable terminalsto traverse said rows of stationary terminals, :1. selec-- ableterminals, means for causing said 'mov able terminals to traverse saidstationary terminals, latches adapted'to hold said movable terminalsnormally clear of said stationary terminals, tripping mechanism adaptedto actuate one'or another of said latches to release the associatedmovable terminal and permit it to be thrust .forward into position toengage the stationary terminals which it t'averses, and a resettingsurface over which said movable terminals are adapted to be drawn in thereturn movement of the switch to restore to its normal position themovable terminal that has been released and thrust forward.

28. A switch, comprising a plurality of stationary terminals, aplurality of normally retracted movable terminals, means for causingsaid movable terminals to move over said stationary terminals, mechanismadapted to select and thrust forward one or another ofsaid movableterminals in position to engage the stationary terminals over which itpasses, and a device adapted to engage and thrust back to its normalposition the movable terminal which has been selected and thrustforward.

29. A switch, comprising a plurality of stationary terminals, a switchcarriage having a row of movable terminals and a row of latches, one foreach of said movable terminals, said latches operating to hold saidmovable terminals normally retracted, selective mechanism adapted toengage one or another of said latches toreleasc a predetermined one ofsaid movable terminals, and a resetting device adapted to engage andrestore to its normal p sition the movable terminal which had beenselected and thrust forward.

30. A switch, comprising a plurality of stationaryteg'minals, aplurality of normally retracted movable terminals, means for'causing amovement of said movable terminals over said stationary terminalsmechanism adapted to select and thrust forward one of said movableterminals into position to engage the stationary terminals over which itpasses and a resetting device in the form of a roller adapted to engagethe movable terminal which had been thrust forward to restore it to itsnormal position. i 31. In the movable element of a telephone exchangeSGlQCiOI, plurality of sets of independently movable terminals, a singlepivot rod on which said sets ofterminals are mounted in combination witha de ice for each set of terminals for maintaining the same normallyinactive.

32. A movable element of a telephone exchange selector comprising aplurality of co-axial pivotally mounted terminals arranged to moveindependently in sets, and a latch for each set of terminals formaintaining said sets of terminals normally inactivep A movable elementof a telephone exchange selector comprising a. plurality of co-axialpivotally mounted and independently adjustable terminals, means foradvancing said terminals in company, and latches for maintaining saidterminals normally inac-' tive.

34-. In a switch carriage, the combination with a plurality of brushespivotally mounted upon a common insulating rod secured to said carriage,and latches for each of said brushes adapted to maintain thesame'normally inactive.

35. In a switch carriage, the combination with a plurality of brushespivotally mounted upon a common insulating support socured to saidcarriage, said brushes being arranged in sets, corresponding brushes in.

'each set being multipled, means tending to thrustsaid brushes outwardlyand a latch bar for each 01" said sets maintaining the same normallyinactive.

36. In a line switching device, acarriage,a plurality of movableterminals secured thereto, a comb-like metallic member car ried by saidline switching device for thrusting said movable terminals outwardly,said metallic member also serving to complete electrical connectionbetween the corresponding terminals, and means for maintaining saidterminals normally retracted.

37. In a switch carriage, the combination with a plurality of terminalsmovably mounted upon said carriage, conductor leads in the form ofspring tongues mounted at one end upon but insulated from said carriageand having their opposite ends bearing against said terminals, therebyexerting pressure tending to force said terminals outwardly, and latchesadapted normally to engage said terminals and thereby neutralize saidpresan insulating. support secured to said carriage, spring tongueconductor leads anchored to said switch carriage and bearing againstsaid brushes. said spring tongues being formed as integral projectionsfrom a metallic strip.

4:0. A switchcarriage comprising a plurality of brushes movably mountedthereon,-

conductor leads in the form of spring tongues, anchored to said carriageand hearing against said brushes, thereby imparting to said brushes atendency to be thrust outwardly, the brushes being arranged in multiplesets, the spring tongues bearing against corresponding brushes beingelectrically united.

41.. In a switch carriage, the combination with a plurality of. movableterminals mounted upon said .carriage, a metallic comb mounted upon butinsulated from said carriage, the teeth of said comb being adapted toconnect said terminals in multiple and impart to them a tendency to bethrust outwardly, and means for maintaining said terminals normallyretracted.

42. In a switch carriage, the combination with a row of terminalsfulcrumed to swing bearing against corresponding terminals of the sets,thereby connecting them in multiple and imparting to them a tendency tob-e thrust outwardly, latches maintaining lead for each of said brushm,said springo-tongues being anchored at one end, to said said terminalsnormally retracted, each latch controllingthe normal retraction of a setof terminals.

43. In a switch carriage, the combination with a plurality of brushesfulcrumed to swing upon an insulating support secured to said carriage,a spring tongue conductor carrier. frame and hearing at their oppositeends against said brushes, thereby imparting to said brushes a tendencyto be thrust outwardly, insulating latch bars engaging said brushes, anda comb anchored to said carriage and having its teeth bea'rmg "againstsaid latch bars thereby serving tov maintainsaid brushes normallyretracted against thethrust or said leads.

is. In aswitch carnage, the combination with a plurality of brushesfulcrumed to I swing upon an insulating support secured to saidcarriage, said brushes being arranged in sets, corresponding brushes ineach set being multipled, insulatinglatch bars, one for each of saidsets of brushes, a combspring mounted upon said carriage and having atongue for each of said sets of brushes, said tongues bearing.v againstsaid insulating latch bars, and thereby serving to maintain the brushesnormally retracted.

- 45. In a switch carriage, the combination with, a brush movablymo-u'nted upon said carriage, a spring tongue conductor lead 1 mountedat one end upon but insulated from said carriage and hearing at itsopposite end arranged tomove.

,insulatin shaft an extending substantially parallel thereto, andatransverse' slot for' eachf brush extending'across thelface' of saidbar opposite the-point where said brush is inlet, tt,v the said brush'nr against said brush, thereby imparting to said brush a tendency tobethrust outwardly, thesaidspringtongue, in the movement of thecarriage, having an' alternate to and fro' movement over. the portionWhere it contacts with said brush, whereby free contact between saidlead and brush is insured.

46. The combination with a switch carriage, of a plurality of brushesrotatably mounted to move independently upon said switch carriage, andabar. of insulating material having slots formed therein to provideteeth between which said" brushes are 47. In aswitch carriage, thecombination "with a vertical insulating shaft' secured to said carriage,of ;a plurality of contact brushe'sgfulcrumecl to said shaft, a bar ofmaterial mounted adjacent to said crumed. to Said sh mally restingwithin the same.

ea. In an interrupter, the combinatioh w th two contact-operating armspivotally" mounted upon a movable carriage a" track way for each of saidarms, one of said track .ways, one in the ways being provided withteeth, and means for maintaining said arms in engagement with saidtrackways in the movement of said carriage, whereby the arm travelingupon the toothed trackway is caused to vib'rate to make and break anelectrical contact. -49. An interrupter comprising a pair ofcontact-operating arms mounted upon a movable carriage, in combinationwith two trackways of difi'erent contours, in fixed relation to-eachother, upon which the respective arms are adapted to ride in themovement of the carriage, whereby the operation oi? the contact iscontrolled in, ac-

arms to make and break an electrical contact therebetween in themovement of said carriage.

52. An interrupteroomprising two track formv of a rack'and the other inthe form of a rice, in combination with a-pai'r of members mounted upona carriage and adapted to travel over said trackways, an electricalcontactcontrolled by said members, the member traveling over therackmalcing and breakin said contact in the movement of the carriage. p53. An interrupter comprising two trackways, one of said traokwaysbeing, provided with a seriesof depressions, a pair of pivoted armsadapted to travel over said trackways,'.'a carriage for said. arms, thetravel of said arms over their respective trackways causing a relativemovement between them to make and break an electrical contact.

54; An interrupter comprising arms pin ota'lly 'mounted upon a movablecarriage, trackways fo-r said arms, the. configuration of said trackwayscausing relative movement of said arms, an electrical contact controlledby the said arms, the movement of the car-' riage causingthe operationof said contacti mounted upon aearriage and movable towar l and fromeach other-to operate an electrical contact, an actuating member for'LpausingTreIatiVe movement of said members 1n the movement of saidcarriage, and means ."forjcompensating for-var1at1ons in distance j i55. Anfinterrupter comprising members between the line of travel of thecarriage and the travel of said contact brushover said .fixed terminals.

the said actuating member.

56. An interrupter for automatic telephone exchange selectors comprisinga rotatable support'carrying contact controlling arms pivoted thereto, asegmental actuating plate adapted to cause relative movement of saidarms to operate an-electrical contact in the movement of said carriage,and means for compensating for eccentricities in radial distance betweenthe axis of rotation of the rotatable support and said actuating'plate.

57. An interrupter comprising members movable. toward and from oneanother to control a contact, an actuating member 00-- operating with acontact controlling member, said members traveling relatively to producethe contact controlling movement and with the path traveled subjecttodeviations from the normal, and means for moving another of the contactmembers. to compensate for such deviations.

58 A switchingdevice provided with stationary contact terminals and amovableswitch carriage having a contact" brush adapted, to traverse saidterminals, in combination with an interrupter comprising a track mountedinfixed relation to said terminals, said track having variations in contour in definite correspondence with the positions of said terminals,and a contact-operating arm mounted upon said switch earriage' andriding upon said track, whereby the operation ofthe contact is regulatedin accordance with the passage of the contact brush .over saidterminals. I

59. The combination with a switching device provided with stationarycontact termmals and a movable switch carriage having contact brushesadapted to traverse said terminals, of an interrupter comprising anotched track mounted in fixed relation to said terminals, the notchesin said track being'in. unvarying correspondence with the locationsofsaid line terminals, and a pair of contact-operating arms mounted uponvthe said movable carriage and arranged to travel oversaid tracln wherebythe contact .controlled by said arms is operated in accordance with theadvance ofithe brush carrier over said terminals. I a

60. A switching device provided with stationary contact terminals. and amovable switch carriage having a contact brush adapted to traverse saidterminals, in combination with an interrupter comprising two trackwaysmounted in'fixed relation to each other, one of said trackways beingsmooth,

the other having variations in contour in make and break a contact inaccordance with 61. A switching apparatus provided with contactterminals and a movable switch car-- riage having contact brushesarranged to travel over' said terminals, in combination with aninterrupter comprising traekways mounted in fixed relation to saidterminals,

arms mountedupon the -movable carriageand arranged totralvel over saidtrackways, the configuration of said trackways causing a relativemovement of said arms to make and break an electrical contact in themove-- said arms to make and break an electrical contact. v I

63. A switching apparatus for automatic telephone exchanges comprisingline terminals arranged in rows, contact brushes arranged to traversesaid terminals,- a carriage for said brushes, in combination with an"interrupter comprising a pair of trackways, each trackway being of adifi'erent configuration, a pair of arms arranged to ride over saidtrackways, an electrical contact controlled by said arms, said contactbeing made and broken in the movement of said arms over'their respectivetracks.

(34. A switching apparatus provided with stationary contact terminalsarranged in rows, brushes arranged to traverse said terminals, acarriage for said brushes. an interrupter associated with said switchingapparatus comprising a pairof trackivays differing in configuration andmounted in fixed relation to said rows of terminals, a pair of armsmounted upon the carriage and arranged to ride over said trackways, theconfiguration of said trackways causing said arms tomake and break saidcontact for each of said rows of terminals in the movement of thecarriage.

65. A switching apparatus provided with stationary line terminalsarranged in vertical rows, brushes adapted to traverse said terminals, acarriage for said brushes, in combination with an interrupter comprisingtwo trackways, one in the form of a rack, the'ot-her in the, form of arim, each notch in said rack bearing a definite relation to, eachvertical row of terminals, a pair of arms arranged to travel over saidtrack- Ways, said arms being mounted on said brush carriage, anelectrical contact controlled by said arms, the movement of said armsover said trackways causing the operation of said contact in accordancewith the travel of said brushes over said line terminals.

66. A switching apparatus comprising stationary terminals and a movablecontact member cotiperating therewith, a member associated with theterminals and being provided with depressions, one for each of saidterminals, and a member movable wit-h the contact member and coperatingwith the depressions, said 005 eration tending to stop the contact memer in a definite relat1on' to some one of the terminals.

67. A switching apparatus comprising stationary terminals, a movablecontact brush adapted to traverse said terminals, '31 plate fixed to theterminal support and provided with depressions, vone for each of saidterminals, an arm movable with the contact brush, and a roller carriedby said arm adapted to register with said depressions, whereby thecotiperation of the roller and depressions tends to anchor the contactbrush in definite relation to some one of the terminals.

68. A switching apparatus comprising an insulating support, of lineterminals mounted in rows thereon, contact brushes adapted to traversesaid line terminals, amovable carriage for said brushes, 9. platesecured to said insulating support and being provided wfiltha series ofdepressions in definite corre: spondence with said rows of terminals, anarm carried by said support, a roller secured to saidiarm and adapted toregister with said depressions, whereby the contact brushes are broughtto a stop in definite relation to said rows of line terminals.

69. A switching apparatus comprising an insulating support, of lineterminals arranged in vertical rows therein, a movable switch carriagehaving contact brushes adapted to traverse said rows (if line terminals,a metallic plate secured to said insulating support and bein providedwith a series of depressions, eac depressionlying in the same plane withits corresponding row of terminals, a spring-pressed arm secured tosaidswitch carriage and moving with said brushes, a. roller carried by saidarm and arranged to register with said de-- pr'essions in the movementof said carriage, whereby when the contact brushes are brought to astop, the roller tends to hold them centrally on the line terminals.

, 70. In a switch, the combination with a row ofrst-ationa'ry terminals,and a movable terminal adapted to traverse thesame, of a' device formeasuring the movement of said movable terminal, said device having acontact adapted to be closed while the movable terminal is passingbetween successive stationary terminals and to be opened momentarilywhen the movable terminal is in contact with each of said stationaryterminals.

71. In a switch, the combination with a I plurality of stationaryterminals arranged in a row and a movable terminal adapted to traversesaid row,.of a device having one part associated with said movableterminal and another part associated with said stationary terminals, oneof said parts having a plurality of operative point-s corresponding innumber and arrangement to the number and arrangement of said stationaryter minals, and an interrupter operated by said device to measure themovement of said movable terminal over said stationary terminals.

72. In a switch, the combination with a row of stationary terminals anda movable terminal adapted to traverse said row, of a contact operatingdevice adapted to be actu ated in the Inovement'of said movable terminalover said stationary terminals, said device having one. part associatedwith said movable terminal and another part associated with saidstationary terminals, one

of said parts having a cam surface with depressions corresponding innumber and arrangement to the number and arrangement of said stationaryterminals.

73. In a switch, the combination with a movable member, of a devicecarried in part by said movable member and arranged to retain saidmember in any one of-a number of positions away from normal, and aswitchcontact intermittently operated by said. device to measure the movementof the movable member.

,74. In a switch, the-combination with a movable member, of a devicecomprising a cam. and an arm. co6perating therewith and arranged toretain the movable memberin any one of a number ofpositions away from f,

normal, and a switch contact intermittently operated by said device tomeasure the movement of the movable member.

7 5. In a switch, the combination with a movable member, of a devicecarried in part by said movablemember and comprising a cam and an armcotiperating-therewith, said device being arranged to retain saidmovable member in any oneofa number of positions away from normal, andan interrupter actuated by said device as the movable member asses eachof said "positions.

' 76. A switc comprising a movable memher and a stationary member,adevice having two cotiperating parts associated with said movablemember and said stationary I 125 member respectively, one of saidpartsbeing an arm and the other a cam, said device beingadaptcdto retainthemovable member of the switch in any one of several positions awayfrom normal, and a switch contact adapted to be intermittently operatedby said device in the movement of the movable member.

77. A switch comprising a row of stationary terminals and a movableterminal adapted to traverse said row of stationary terminals, a switchcontact adapted tomeasure the movement of said movable terminal oversaid stationary terminals, and a holding deviceadapted to retain saidmovable terminal in definite contact position with respect to any-oneofsaid stationary terminals, said contact device and said holding devicehaving in common an arm associated with said movable terminal and a camassociated with said stationary terminals.

78. A switch comprising a row of station-- ary terminals and a movableterminal adapted to traverse the row of stationary terminals at uniformspeed, a device for retaining said movable terminal in definite contactposition with respect to any one of said stationary terminals, saiddevice having a cam with depressions corresponding in number andarrangement to the number and arrangement of said stationary terminals,and an arm cooperating with said cam associated with said movableterminal, and a switch contact intermittently operated by said arm tomeasure'the movement of said movable terminal. I

7 9. The combination with a switch having stationary terminals and amovable terminal adapted to traverse the same, of switching mechanismfor measuring the movement of said movable-terminal over said stationaryterminals, said switching mechanism having cooperating contact partsadapted to make and break contact with each other and means associatedwith the stationary terminals of the switch for controlling theengagement between the contact parts of said'switching mechanism.

80. The combination with a switch having a: plurality of stationaryterminals and a movable terminal adapted to traverse the same, ofswitching mechanism adapted tomeasure the movement of said movableterminal over said stationary terminals, said switching mechanism havingcooperating contact parts, and means associated with said stationaryterminals for moving said contact parts out of engagement with eachother once for each of the stationary terminals traversed by saidmovable terminal.

81. The combination with a switch having a plurality of stationaryterminals and a movable terminal adapted to traverse the same, ofswitching mechanism adapted to measure the movement of said movableterminal over said stationary terminals, said switching mechanism havingtwo cooperat mg contact parts, and means assoclated with said stationaryterminals adapted to govern terminals arranged in a row transverse tosaid rows of stationary terminals and adapted to be moved over the same,each of said movable terminals being adapted to traverse a particularrow of stationary terminals, and connections between said movableterminals adapted tojoin the same in multiple connected groups. I

83. An automatic switch, comprising a plurality of stationary terminalsarranged in different levels, a plurality of normally retracted movableterminals one for each level of stationary terminals, means for causingthe movement of. said movable terminals over the stationary terminals inthe corresponding levels, and means operating during the movement ofsaid movable terminals to release a predetermined one of the same. a

84. An automatic switch, comprising a plurality of stationary terminalsarranged in different levels, a plurality of normally inactive movableterminals corresponding with the different levels ofstationary'terminals, mechanism adapted to cause a continuous anduni-directional movement of said movable terminals in two stages,mechanism actuated during the first stage of movementof said movableterminals and adapted to render active a particular one of the same,

and mechanism adapted for operation in 1 the second stage of themovement of said movable members to stop the same with the activemovable terminal in engagement with a predetermined stationary terminalin the corresponding level.

85. Aswitch, comprising a plurality of stationary terminals and aplurality of normally inactive movable terminals adapted foruninterrupted and uni-directional movement in two stages, mechanismactuated in the first stage of-the movement of said movable terminals torender active a particular one of the same, and mechanism adapted to bemade operative to cause said selected movable terminal to selectandengage a stationary terminal in thesecon'dstage of the movement ofsaid movable terminals."

86. An automatic switch, comprising a plurality of stationary terminals,a plurality of normally retracted and inactive movableterminalssarranged for uni-directional movement over said stationaryterminals, mechanism actuated, by the movement of said movable terminalsto release andrend'er active a predetermined one of the same, andmechanism adapted to be operated in the movement of said movableterminals to cause said selected active terminal to stop in engagementwith a particular one of said stationary terminals.

87. An automatic switch, comprising a in the movement of the switch torender active any predetermined one of said mov-,

able terminals and mechanism for causing an uninterrupted movement ofthe movable terminals of the switch, first into operative relation withsaid selecting mechanism to select and render active a particular one ofsaid movable terminals, and then into op-- erative relation with saidstationary terminals to cause said active movable terminal to engage aparticular one of the stationary terminals.

88. An automatic switch, comprising a plurality of stationaryterminals,-a plurality of normally retracted movable terminals, motormechanism for causing a predetermined movement of said movable terminalsover said stationary terminals, and mechanism actuated during theuninterrupted movement of the movable terminals to select and thrustforward a particular one of the same into position to completeconnection with the stationary terminal upon which it comes to rest.

S9. A switch, comprising a plurality of stationary terminals, a switchcarriage carrying a plurality of normally retracted and inactive movableterminals adaptedto co- Copies of this patent may be obtained forstationary terminals, a constantly rotating ower shaft, and a magneticclutch controlin the connection of said switch carriage a stationaryenergizing winding.

91. A swltch, comprising a row of stationary terminals mounted in aterminal block with one end of each terminal projecting slightly beyondthe plane of one face of said terminal block, and a switch carriagecarrying a movable -terminal'adapted to traverse said stationaryterminals in the movement of the carriage, said movable terminal beingin the form of a lever fulcrumed u on said switch carriage and having aace adapted to engage the projecting ends of said stationary terminals,and a spring wit said power shaft, said magnetic clutch having a corerotating with said shaft, and

adapted to complete electrical connection with said movable terminallever and thrust the same ag inst the faces of said stationary terminalsa itis moved over them.

In witness whereof; I hereunto subscribe my name this 22nd day of July,A. D.,1910.

FRANK R.. MoBERTY.

' Witnesses:

MORGAN Wasmanmv, Jr., GU'Y M. Gamrsmm.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington,D. 0.

